Syrian tanks stormed two northwestern towns near the border with Turkey on Wednesday, expanding a military offensive to crush protests, local residents said a day after Ankara pressed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end killings of civilians.

At least 45 civilians were killed in a tank assault by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces to occupy the centre of Hama, an activist said on Thursday, in a sharp escalation of a military campaign aimed at ending an uprising against his rule.

The houses looked abandoned, windows and doors locked, a broken shutter clattering in the wind. Then, one by one, they began to appear from their hiding places, mainly women and children, a few elderly people. The residents of this village had learned to their cost that being caught unawares in this violent conflict could have lethal consequences. (more…)

LONDON (AlertNet) – A six-ship flotilla bound for Gaza that was intercepted on Monday by Israeli marines was carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid. The flotilla, led by a Turkish vessel, attempted to break Israel’s three-year blockade of the coastal territory that aid agencies say has had a devastating effect on the livelihoods and lives of Gaza’s 1.5 million Palestinians. Clashes led to the deaths of nine people. (more…)